Water craft



1956 w. W-OODWORTH ETAL 2,

WATER CRAFT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 13, 1955 INVENTORS WARNER WOODWORTH ARTHUR ORR Nov. 20, 1956 w. WOODWORTH ET AL 2,770,817

WATER CRAFT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 15, 1955 INVENTORS m H m M i DR 7 m n m R E T fla Y United States Patent ()ffice 2,770,817 Patented Nov. 20, 1956 WATER CRAFI Warner Woodworth, Hollywood, and Arthur Orr, North Miami, Fla.

Application June 13', 1955, Serial No. 515,054

' 3 Claims. 01. 9-3

This invention relates to an improvement in water craft and has particular reference to a craft having multiple uses, such as water sports, as in swimming, surf boats and as an aid in beach rescue work for life guards.

The invention contemplates a craft that is extremely light in weight, is buoyant under all conditions, both floating and partially or Wholly filled with water or when upset as might occur during water sports.

The craft embodies a novel construction wherein a cock-pit frame is prebuilt and assembled with respect to the bottom, deck and sides, that greatly facilitating the production of the device at a relatively low cost.

A novel feature of the invention resides in the longitudinal contour of the craft whereby the stern portion is sloped downwardly to terminate at approximately'the Water line of the device and through the medium of which swimmers may easy and quickly enter the craft by propelling themselves over the sloped stern, thus avoiding the usual diificulty of entering other well known craft by climbing over the side .and often resulting in injury. The craft of this invention greatly facilitates the saving of life by life guards, since it is comparatively easy for the life guard to shove or propel the exhausted swimmer over the stern.

The bouyancy of the craft, created by air chambers that extend for the full length of the device and along the sides of the cock-pit, effectively maintain the craft against sinking, even when overloaded and creates "a very desirable amusement device for children and adults alike when enjoying water sport.

Another desirable and, novel feature of the invention resides in vent openings for the air chambers whereby prises a preferably continuousone-piece bottom 5 and an overlying and preferably one-piece deck 6, both being preferably formed of plywood commonly employed in marine construction. The deck 6 is maintained in a predetermined spaced relation to the bottom 5, by side panels 7. As clearly shown, the craft is generally tapering toward its opposite ends, providing a bow portion 8 and a stern portion 9. The bottom 5 is upwardly curved toward the bow portion 8 and with the forward end of the deck 6 and the bottom 5 being rigidly connected with a cross-head 10, preferably formed of wood and with the cross-head 10 being'routed longitudinally to a depth whereby the terminal ends of thebottom and the deck will be flush therewith. The cross-head is preferably transversely curved across the bow of the craft. The sides 7 also taper at their opposite ends and Withthe sides being securely connected to and in flush arrangement with the bottom and deck and cemented thereto against leakage. The forward ends of the side panels are also suitably connected with the opposite ends of the crosshead 10 and with the ends of the cross-head being rounded to avoid any sharp corners. The stern portion of the deck 5 is downwardly curved to a point adjacent the determined water line of the craft, While the stern portion of the bottom is slightly upwardly curved and with the terminal ends of the deck and the bottom terminating in alignment and connected and braced by a stern crosshead 11. The side panels 7 also taper rearwardly to conform to the curvature of the bottom and the deck and are likewise rigidly connected to the cross-head 11 and with the corners of the cross-head 11 being rounded.

A keel board 12 extendsthroughout the length of the craft and is secured to conform to the contour of the bottom 5. Disposed intermediate the ends of the craft and slightly rearwardly of the bow 8, is a cock-pit 13. The cock-pit 13 is preferably prebuilt before installation within the craft, and embodies side panels 14 and end panels 15, see particularly Figure 6. The panels are rigidly connected together at their ends and the upper and the chambers may be suitably vented to drain any accumulated water therefrom and to-vent the chambers against expansion and contraction that would be likely to cause leakage in the joints of the structure and with the vents being provided with plugs to beused when the craft is in the wa ter and to prevent the entry of water to the chambers that would destroy to some extent the buoyancy. g v

, Novel features of construction will be more clearly apparent during the course of the following description, referencebeing had to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein has been illustrated a preferred form of the device and wherein like characters of reference are employed to denote like parts throughout'the several figures. :In the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view thereof,

Figure 3 is a transverse section, taken substantially on line 33 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the craft,

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section taken substantially on line 55 of Figure 4 and,

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a preformed cockpit frame embodied in the device.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the craft comview of a craft constructed in lower marginal edges of the cock-pit are contoured longitudinally and transversely in accordance with the predetermined longitudinal and transverse contour of the bottom and deck 5 and 6. The end panels 15 are notched at 16 to engage over the keel board 12. As clearly illustrated, the deck 6 is cut to provide a rectangular opening 17 of a size that conforms to the inner dimensions of the cockpit and at assembly, the upper edges of the panels 14 and 15 underlie and are flush with the opening 17. The craft is further provided with cross. ribs 18 and an overlying form board 19 whereby to impart rigidity to the craft. It will of course be clearly apparent, that the hull, embodying the bottom 5, the deck 6, the side panels 7land the cock-pit 13, are all assembled in rigid connection and cemented against leakage. As clearly shown in Figure 3, the side panels are preferably angled inwardly and downwardly, while the panels 14 are suitably spaced from the panels 7 and likewise angled to provide air chambers, ,at opposite sides of the craft, as at 20. Forwardiand aft air chambers 21 are formed within the hull by the end panels 15 of the cock-pit and with the air chambers21 preferablycommunicating with the chambers 20.

Disposed within the cock-pit 13 adjacent each side, are grab rails 22, connected with the end panels 15, by suitable flanges 23, thus providing a very convenient means for the occupants of the craft to stabilize themselves and the craft. Apertures 24 are formed in each end panel 15, whereby to vent the air chambers and whereby to permit the drainage of any water that might accumulate therein. Plugs, 25, carried by flexible elements 26, serve to close the apertures against the entry of water to the air chambers when the craft is being employed in a manner where water may enter the cockpit. The plugs 25 when removed, also permit ventilation to the air chambers whereby to prevent expansion and contraction of air therein that might damage the joitns of the craft and create leaks. To further stabilize the craft and to retard side drift, a pair of keels 27 have been attached to the bottom 5 adjacent each side. The keels 27 further retard the wear upon the bottom 5 when the craft is dragged over hard surfaces.

In construction, the hull, comprising the bottom 5, the side panels 7, the cross-heads It) and 11, the keel board 12 and the cross ribs 18 are preshaped, cut and assembled. The deck 6 has also been preshaped and provided with the opening 17. The cock-pit after assembly, is then positioned within the hull and rigidly secured in sealed engagement with the bottom 5 and the keel board 12. The deck 6 is then disposed in overlying relation to-the hull and with its opening registering with the panel edges of the cock-pit, after which it is securely fastened in position and sealed in a manner commonly recognized in marine construction. The grab rails 22 may be installed within the cock-pit either before or after installation. The craft will obviously be coated with marine paint in a recognized manner.

It will therefore be apparent, that a very novel form of water craft has been provided. The structure is extremely simple and economical to manufacture, is strong, durable and highly convenient in use. The craft has a high degree of buoyancy and lightly floats upon the water with its bow slightly elevated, while its stern terminates at or close to the water line, providing a convenient means whereby swimmers may swim upon and easily board the craft. With the craft loaded, the stern may be slightly submerged. The device is most desirable as an amusement craft, but readily lends itself to livesaving units and readily lends lends itself for use in very shallow water. The construction provides a craft that is so light as to enable a single person to easily carry and launch it or to retrieve and place the device within a suitable vehicle for transportation. The device is easily carried within the conventional vehicle of the station-wagon type and due to its cheapness of manufacture may form a means of amusement for the average family. Its benefits in lifesaving can hardly be underestimated and far surpasses the well known floats and other lifesaving devices now employed and recognized by lifeguards and others. Other adaptations of the craft contemplate the stepping of a mast for use of a sail, while the present embodiment of the invention employs a preferably double-end paddle as a means of propulsion, when propulsion is desirable. Another adaptation of the device is for a hunting skilf, due to its low draft and high buoyancy qualities.

It is to be understood, that the invention is not limited to the precise construction shown, but that changes are contemplated as readily fall within the spirit of the invention as shall be determined by the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A water craft comprising a buoyant hull that is composed of a bottom and an elevated deck and with the bottom and the deck being formed each of single sections of material, the hull including a bow portion and a stern portion and with the deck being downwardly curved at the stern portion for connection with an upwardly curved portion of the bottom and whereby the terminal end of the stern terminates at the water-line of the craft, the bottom and the deck being connected along their longitudinal edges by side panels, the deck being provided with a rectangular opening intermediate its ends, a cock-pit forming frame disposed within the craft and underlying the opening of the deck and with the frame being connected to the bottom and the deck in a water-tight manner, the said hull and the said cockpit frame forming air chambers for the craft along its sides and fore and aft of the cock-pit frame, grab rails disposed within the frame and vent openings formed in the cock-pit frame whereby to vent the air chambers.

2. A water craft that includes a closed hull having a bottom, a deck, side panels and a cock-pit, the hull being, tapered at its opposite ends to form a bow and a stern, the deck and the bottom being downwardly and upwardly curved respectively whereby to dispose the deck at its stern end at an elevation substantially at the water line of the craft, the cock-pit embodying a frame having side walls and end walls and with the frame being disposed within the hull intermediate its ends, the side walls of the frame being spaced from the side panels whereby to form air chambers along the side of the craft, the end walls of the frame providing air chambers for the bow and the stern, grab rails disposed within the cock-pit and paralleling the side walls of the frame, vent opening formed in the end walls of the frame whereby to vent the air chambers and plugswhereby to close the said openings.

3. A water craft comprising a hollow hull embodying a bottom cover, a deck forming cover and connecting side panels, the said bottom cover, deck cover and side panels being rigidly connected together at the opposite ends of the hull, the said hull being shaped to form a bow portion and a stern portion and with the stern portion of the deck cover being downwardly, curved to terminate at the water line of the craft, the said deck cover intermediate itsends being provided with a rectangular opening, a cock-pit forming frame disposed within the hull to be co-extensive with the opening of the deck, the said cock-pit frame being in spaced relation to the side panels whereby to form longitudinally extending air chambers for the full length of the cockpit, the said hull including air chambers fore and aft of the cock-pit and with the several air chambers being in communication, grab rails disposed within the cockpit and extending longitudinally thereof parallel to the side of the hull, vent openings formed in the frame at its opposite ends and removable plugs for closing the vent openings.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 157,564 Byerly Mar. 7, 1950 812,656 Iulhe Feb. 13, 1906 1,304,865 Failor May 27, 1919 2,703,892 Steele Mar. 15, 1955 2,722,697 Wilkinson Nov. 8, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 718,523 France Ian. 26, 1932 

